Apparatus for automatic multiplication of a time interval by a factor



J. P. HANSEN Nov. 21, 1933.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC MULTIPLICATION OF A TIME INTERVAL BY A FACTOR Filed Dec. 22, 1928 I1 lllllllalm I 7 Im I Patented Nov. 21, 1933 1,935,743

UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC MULTIPLICA- TION OF A TIME INTERVAL BY A FACTOR Jens Peter Hansen, Copenhagen, Denmark Application December 22, 1928, Serial No. 327,894, and in Germany December 28, 192? 9 Claims. (Cl. 16115) The present invention relates to apparatus for In the development of a latent photographic automatic multiplication of a time interval, the image on an exposed plate, film, paper strip, sheet base time, by a factor. or the like, it is especially important that the I For further explanation, reference is made to developed image should show a certain gradathe accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 tion, 1. e. that a certain definite ratio of the dark 60 is a diagram showing the features here conparts relatively to the light parts of the image cerned; should be maintained. This gradation depends Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the apparatus; on the photographic material, the developer used,

, Figs. 3 to? show various details; and the temperature of the same etc., but first of Fig. 8 is a plan view of a modification. all it depends on the correct or incorrect expo- 65 Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front elevation of the sure. As is well known, there exists a definite structure shown in Fig. 8, showing a conventional relation between the time interval, from the mosignal. ment when the development commences to the Fig. 1 consists of two parts, of which only the moment when the first traces of image appear on upper will be considered at present. the plate, and the full time of development, in 70 Referring more particularly to the upper part case a certain gradation is to be attained. The of Fig. l, the time t is supposed to be plotted ratio of the first of these two periods to the along an axis as an abscissa. At the point 0 an second one is then a factor n by which time inw operation commences which has the duration (11 tervals according to the present invention have and ends at the point 1. This period is called to be multiplied in order to find the correct pe- 75 the base time and is supposed to determine anriod of development corresponding to an obother period In to be deduced from the base time served time interval (the base time) hereinafter cm by the equation bl nai, so that when the base designated a, which is determined by the time time an has been determined, for instance by consumed before the first traces of image apexperiment, then the time In may be found by peared. This factor, as is well known, is deterso calculation. mined by the developer used, and is therefore The invention relates primarily to an apparaconstant even when different materials are used tus by means of which such amultiplication of the and at various temperatures. The value of the time may be effected automatically, in such a factor is between 3 and and, for the usually 9 manner that it is only necessary to start the apused developers, is between 5 and 15. paratus at the commencement of the period (11 The apparatus according to the present invenand, at the end of the said period, to actuate a tion is used in the following manner. The apceltain embe O the pp s, Whereafter the paratus is started simultaneously with the im latter automatically will actuate a signal at the mersion of the plate into the developer, wherei End O the period 171 p p Start a a e after it measures the time until the first traces or an apparatus. 1 of image appear. Then the operator merely The bottom P Of g. 1 illustrates the propresses a button, and the apparatus then actuates C d I ding to another base time (:2 a signal when the correct developing time has and a correspo d 1393061 n, With the Same passed, the time factor n corresponding to the 40- factor n as in the upper portion of h fi ure. developer used being previously given by the con- -Such apparatuses may be useful in many instruction or adjustment of the apparatus. dustries, in scientific experiments and in the per- Hence all calculating is avoided, and the formanse o y kinds of WOIK, especially in photographer can direct his entire attention to cases where the multiplication to be performed th developing o k, 45 has to be made quickly and, consequently, there The principal idea underlying the construction is not much time available for mental conversion of th apparatus i chara t i d i th t meas, of seconds into minutes, or where circumstances uring member travels forward a certain distance prevent h a mu p cation fr0m being psrduring the base time, which distance is dependi'crmed, because the operator is at the same time ent on the duration of the base time and the 59 busy with other things. speed of the measuring member and, after the The apparatus is especially useful in photo lapse of the base time, or partly simultaneously graphic operations, for instance developing and therewith, is traversed by the same or another toning operations; and the further description member at a speed which is so many times lowwhich follows will therefore, be directed, by way er than the first speed as indicated by the factor of example, to such use. by which the base time has to be multiplied, the

said member actuating a signal at the end of the second motion.

On the basis of this working method various apparatuses coming within the scope of the present invention may be built. The measuring member or members may be racks or gear wheels, and may also be used as releasing member for the signal etc., and the directions of motion may be different or alike as required. r

The drawing shows by way of example a device constructed like a clock by which a measuring member and a releasing member are moved in the same direction. In this construction gear wheels are used as measuring and releasing members.

In Figs. 2 and 8 only that part of the apparatus is shown which is needed for understanding the manner in which the apparatus works, while the driving clock-work is not shown at all, and the casing is shown only where it is used as an integral part of the apparatus.

The construction according to Figs. 2 to 7 will now be described in detail.

In a casing 1 there is journaled a spindle 2 driven from a clock-work by means of a clockwork driven shaft 101 which is coupled to the spindle 2 by a mechanism described hereinafter. This spindle carries a driving pinion 3 and is connected to the clock-work by means of a coupling 4. The coupling 4 should be arranged in such a manner that the spindle 2 will be taken along by the clock-work in clock-wise direction, but that it will be possible to turn the spindle backward without influencing the clock-work. In Fig. 2 of the drawing the shaft 2 is shown connected with a clockwork driven shaft 101 by means of a coupling 4. Coupling 4 consists of two elements which are provided with ratchet teeth by means of which the elements of the coupling are connected. A coil spring 102 cooperates with the coupling 4 to provide a connection whereby the shaft 2 may be turned by hand without effecting the movement of shaft 101. In order to permit the shaft 2 to be adjusted axially by the push-button 14 a connecting element 103 is associated with the shaft 101. The element 103 consists of a casing in which the stub shaft 104 slides. The shaft 104 is provided with a head 105 which cooperates with grooves 106 in the casing of element 103 to prevent relative rotary movement between the head 105 and the casing 103. It is obvious, of course, that the shaft 104 may be slid relatively to the casing 103 and yet rotary motion will always be transmitted by means of the head 105 in the grooves 106. The spring 102 serves to maintain the connection between the coupling elements 104 regardless of the position of the push-button 14. The coupling is considered to be conventional and applicant does not consider the constructional details of this element as his invention. The pinion 3 engages an intermediate gear wheel 6 fixed on an intermediate spindle 5 whereon a pinion 7 is also attached. A sleeve 8 isjournaled on the spindle 2 and extends out through the wall of the casing. This sleeve supports a measuring wheel 9. The sleeve 8 is further encircled by a stationary bearing sleeve 10 on which the two Wheels 11 and 12 are journaled. The bearing sleeve 10 is firmly connected to the wall of the casing 1. The sleeve 8 carries, outside of the casing, a finger knob 13, while the spindle 2 which is still longer than said sleeve, supports a push button 14 beyond the said knob.

The pinion 3 is very wide, so that it may be displaced axially in relation to the wheel 6, without the teeth of the same coming out of engagement. On the side facing the measuring wheel 9 the pinion 3 is formed with a hole into which a driving pin 15 on the measuring wheel 9 may engage, so that the measuring wheel will be coupled to the pinion 3 and follow the rotation of the latter.

The wheel 12 meshes with the pinion 7 and is driven by the latter at an angular speed which is n times lower than the angular speed of the measuring wheel 9, when n is the gear-ratio between the wheels 3, 6, 7 and 12. According to the present invention, n is the factor by which the base time a has to be multiplied.

The wheel 11 is moved by means of a driving pin 16 carried by the wheel 12. This pin extends through a slot 17 in the wheel 11 and is gripped by a spring hook 18 which is secured in the slot 17 of wheel 11. As clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the hook 18 is provided with a portion adapted to cooperate with a stop 25 carried by the wheel 9 to release the pin from the hook. The stop 25 carried by the wheel 9 is provided with a reenforcing flange 19 which maintains the rigidity of the stop 25.

As shown in Fig. 5, a spiral spring is associated with the wheel 11. This spring is attached at 91 to the shaft on which wheel 11 is rotatably mounted and the other end of the spring is attached to the wheel 11 at the connection 92. The spring 90 has a tendency to cause the wheel 11 to rotate counter-clockwise on its shaft and when the pin 16 is released from engagement by the hook 18 the wheel 11 will be rapidly rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until the lower portion of the slot 17 engages the pin 16.

At this point it should be noted, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, that the spring hook 18 projects beyond the face of the wheel 11 in such a manner that it will be engaged by the stop 25 in order to shift the lower portion of the spring so that it will release the pin 16.

In order to effect the operation of a signal, a small pinion is associated with the wheel 11 in such a manner as to be rapidly rotated by the wheel 11 when the spring 18 releases the pin 16 and the wheel 11 is rotated by means of the spiral spring 90. The pinion 95 which engages the wheel 11 carries a bell clapper 96 which is connected to the shaft of the pinion 95 by means of an elastic arm 97. A bell 98 is positioned adjacent the pinion 95 and is so located that the clapper 96 will strike the bell when the pinion 95 is rotated at a speed sumcient to cause an extension of the elastic arm 97 which carries the bell clapper 96. When the wheel 11 is being rotated by the pin 16, the pinion 95 moves at such a slow speed that the elastic arm 97 carrying the bell clapper will not be extended and, therefore, the clapper 96 will not strike the bell 98. However, when the pinion 95 'is rapidly rotated-that is, when the wheel is rotated under the influence of the spring 90, the elastic arm 97 will be extended and the clapper 96 will strike the bell 98. The signal shown is considered to be conventional and applicant disclaims the constructional details thereof.

When the clock is to be stopped the measuring wheel 9 is held stationary in its zero-position by means of a stop 20, which is held in position by means of a tooth 21 provided on the wall of the casing 1. By means of a plate spring 98 the tooth 21 is connected to a pivoted bellcrank lever 22, in such a manner that the stop 20 below the tooth 21 may be rotated in counterclockwise direction, whereby the tooth will merely be deflected. while it will prevent any motion in clockwise direction. The lever 22 supports a knob 23 and is pressed into the casing by means of a spring 24. When the knob 23 is depressed, the tooth 21 will move outward, and the wheel 9 will become free and will rotate, whereafter the knob 23 may again be released. The measuring wheel 9 supports further a stop 25 which in the zero-position of the wheel 9 just touches the pin 16 on the releasing wheel 12.

The lengths of the spindles 2 and 8 are adjusted in such a manner that when the button 14 is pressed against the knob 13, without displacing the latter, then the driving pinion 3 will move so far towards the rear that it will not only disengage the pin 15 but will travel a short distance therebeyond. When the-button 14 is pushed further, inward or rearward, it will also move the knob 13 slightly in the same direction, but not so far that the pin 15 may engage the hole in the wheel 3 once more. 'By this last motion the measuring wheel 9 is displaced in axial direction, and its teeth come thereby into engagement with a tooth 26 (Fig. 4) provided on the wall of the casing 1, whereby the measuring wheel is stopped once more.

The signal wheel 11 must finally be fitted with a stop 27 co-operating with a pin 28 on the casing wall 1, so that said wheel can only be returned to this position.

The device acts in the following manner:

The clock-work is wound and the wheels are turned into the position shown in Fig. 2,-so that the measuring wheel 9 with its stop 20 will be held firmly in its zero-position by means of the tooth 21, and the signal wheel 11 with its stop 27 will be held there by means of the pin 28. In this position the driving pin 16 is situated below the spring-hook 18 which latter, however, is just lifted away by the stop 19, and the stop flange 25 rests against the pin 16. The signal wheel, on the other hand, cannot rotate because the stops 2'7 and 28 prevent it from doing so. In this position all the wheels are at a standstill.

When now the photographer immerses the plate into the developing solution, all he has to do is to push in the button 23. Hereby the tooth 21 will be withdrawn from the stop 20, so that the measuring wheel 9 becomes free and, hence, also the pinion 3 which is coupled thereto. The wheels begin to rotate, the measuring wheel 9 at the same speed as the pinion 3, but the releasing wheel 12 only n times as slowly. The first consequence of the start will be that the stop flange 19 moves away from the spring-hook 1 so that the latter will be able to deflect inward and engage the pin 16 which passes through the signal wheel 11, whereafter the said signal wheel is connected to the releasing wheel 12 and follows the motion of the latter.

When the base time is ended in the present case, when the first traces of image have appeared on the plate (point 1 in Fig. 1)-then the button 14 is pushed in as far as it goes. Hereby, in the first place, the pinion 3 is pressed towards the rear, so that the pin 15 ceases to engage the said pinion, and, in the second place, the measuring wheel 9 is slightly displaced, so that the tooth 26 comes into engagement with the gear teeth of the same. The measuring wheel 9 will then be stationary, while the driving pinion 3 still continues to drive the releasing wheel 12 and, hence, also the signal wheel 11, by means of the wheels 6 and '7. This lasts until the pin 16 strikes the stop flange 25 on the now stationary measuring wheel 9, whereby at the same time, the stop flange l9 lifts the spring-hook 18, which immediately releases the pin 16, whereafter the signal wheel 11 will rotate until the edge of the hole 17 strikes the pin 16. By this motion the signal will be operated. Obviously the time interval from the moment when the device is started until the moment when the signal is given will be 11 times as long as the base time.

When the signal has been given, the device is once more at a stand-still. In order to make it ready for use again, the knob 13 is withdrawn and turned backward until the zero-position has been reached, whereafter the button 14 is also withdrawn.

When the device has to work with some other factor, it will only be necessary to replace the two wheels '7 and 12 by another pair of wheels.

This may also be effected, in manner known per se, by means of a gear-changing device, so that the factor of the apparatus may be changed by a simple readjustment of the said device.

As mentioned above the same efiect may also be attained in other manners.

In the modified construction in Fig. 8, the driving pinion 3 fast on spindle 2 engages a reversing wheel 30 on an intermediate spindle 29. The wheel 30 engages a wheel 32 which is fixed on a counter-spindle 31 supporting another wheel 33. The spindle 2 is encircled, by a sliding sleeve 35 supporting a gear wheel 34 which is firmly attached to the said sleeve and in this construction acts as the measuring wheel as well as the releasing wheel. The pinion 3 is fitted with a conical coupling part 40 adapted to be coupled to a corresponding recessed coupling part 39 at the end of the sleeve 35. The wheel 34 also carries a stop 3'7 adapted to cooperate with a lug 38 projecting from the inside of the casing 1. Conventional signal means may be provided as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 for operating a signal when the stop 3'7 engages the lug 38. A bracket 110 supports a bell crank 111, one end of which is engaged or tripped by stop 37 and the other end of which serves as a bell clapper for striking bell 112. After stop 3'7 trips the bell crank 111, a spring 113 moves the bell crank to strike the bell 112. Bell crank 111 should be formed of two pivotally connected arms as shown to permit wheel 34 to rotate counter-clockwise without interference of the bell crank with stop 37. Applicant considers this signal to be conventional and disclaims all details thereof.

This arrangement acts in such a manner that when the parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 8 with the stop 37 resting against the lug 38, then the entire device will be at a stand-still. At the commencement of the base time a the sleeve 35 which, outside of the casing, is fitted with a push button 36, is pressed inward in such a manner that the coupling members 39-40 enter into engagement at the same time that the wheel 34 becomes disengaged from the wheel 33. During the base time a the wheel 34 will move together with the driving pinion 3, so that the stop 3'7 moves away from the lug 38. When the base time has expired, the hand knob 36 is withdrawn, so that the coupling 39, 40 becomes released and the wheel 34 once more engages the wheel 33, whereafter the wheel 34 turns backward through the same angle as it formerly turned forward, but now at a speed which is 11-1 times lower, since the gear-ratio of the wheels 3, 30, 32, 33, 34 has been selected just equal to 12-1.

When the stop 37 again strikesthe lug 38 the clock-work will stop and, simultaneously, the signal will be operated. This will happen after the lapse of exactly the time b=n.a.

The invention may further be used in connection with other than the constructions here mentioned and described and, more especially, racks may be used instead of gear wheels as measuring and releasing members.

What I claim as new is:

1. A time-measuring device comprising a member adapted to rotate at constant speed, a wheel, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the member, a second wheel rotated by the member at a speed lower than that of the first wheel, means for stopping the first wheel after rotating for a desired time and permitting rotation of the second wheel, means associated with the second wheel for operating a signal, and means carried by the first wheel for rendering the signal operative when both of the wheels obtain a corresponding position.

2. Time-control apparatus comprising a wheel, driving means therefor, means for detachably coupling the wheel and its driving means, a second wheel actuated by the driving means at a lower speed and connected for rotation after the first wheel has been uncoupled from its driving means, and means operable upon the second wheel reaching a position corresponding to that of the first wheel for actuating a signal.

3. A time-measuring device comprising .a member adapted to rotate at a constant speed, an element connected to the member and adapted to be moved thereby at a determined speed, a second element detachably connected to the member and adapted to be moved thereby at a lower speed, means for disconnecting the second element from the member and stopping the same, and means associated with both of said elements for efiecting operation of a signal when the first element has moved to a position corresponding to that at which the second element has stopped. I a

4. A time-measuring device comprising a member rotatable at a constant speed, a shaft, a wheel loosely rotatably mounted thereon, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the rotatable member to cause the wheel to rotate at the speed of the member, a second wheel loosely rotatably mounted on the shaft, means connecting the second wheel with the member to cause the second wheel to rotate at a speed lower than that of the first wheel but bearing a definite relation to the speed of the first wheel, means for disconnecting the first wheel from the member and stopping the first wheel after it has rotated for a desired time, and means operable upon the second wheel reaching a position corresponding to that of thefirst wheel for actuating a signal.

5. A time-measuring device comprising a member rotatable at a constant speed, a shaft, a wheel loosely rotatably mounted thereon, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the rotatable member to cause the wheel to rotate at the speed of the member, a second wheel loosely rotatably mounted on the shaft, means connect ing the second wheel with'the member to cause the second wheel to rotate at a speed lower than that of the first wheel but bearing a definite relation to the speed of the first wheel, means for disconnecting the first wheel from the member and stopping the first wheel after it has rotated for a desired time, a third wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, means on the second wheel for rotating the third wheel with the second wheel, means for resiliently urging the third wheel to rotate in a direction counter to the rotation of the second wheel, means operable for disconnecting the third and second wheels upon the second wheel reaching a position corresponding to the stopped position of the first wheel, and signal means operable by the third wheel when disconnected from the second wheel.

6. A time-measuring device comprising a member rotatable at a constant speed, a shaft, a wheel loosely rotatably mounted thereon, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the rotatable member to cause the wheel to rotate at the speed of the member, a second wheel loosely rotatably mounted on the shaft, means connecting the second wheel with the member to cause the second wheel to rotate at a speed lower than that of the first wheel but bearing a definite relation to the speed of the first wheel, means for disconnecting the first wheel from the member and stopping the first wheel after it has rotated for a desired time, a third wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, said third wheel having a slot therein, an element on the second wheel positioned in the slot, means in the slot for gripping the element and causing the third wheel to rotate with the second wheel, means for resiliently urging the third wheel to rotate in a direction counter to the second wheel, means on the first wheel adapted to disconnect the second and third wheels when the second wheel reaches a position corresponding to that of the first wheel, and means associated with the third wheel for actuating a signal when disconnected from the second wheel.

'7. A time-measuring device comprising a member rotatable at a constant speed, a shaft, a wheel loosely rotatably mounted thereon, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the rotatable member to cause the wheel to rotate at the speed of the member, a second wheel loosely rotatably mounted on the shaft, means connecting the second wheel with the member to cause the second wheel to rotate at a speed lower than that of the first wheel but bearing a definite relation to the speed of the first wheel, means for disconnecting the first wheel from the member and stopping the first wheel after it has rotated for a desired time, a third wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, means on the second wheel for rotating the third wheel with the second wheel, means for resiliently urging the third wheel to rotate in a direction counter to the rotation of the second wheel, means operable for disconnecting the third and second wheels upon the second wheel reaching a position corresponding to the stopped position of the first wheel, signal means operable by the third wheel when disconnected from the second wheel, and means for stopping the second wheel when it reaches this position.

8. A time-measuring device comprising a member rotatable at a constant speed, a shaft, a wheel loosely rotatably mounted thereon, means for detachably coupling the wheel to the rotatable member to cause the wheel to rotate at a speed of the member, a second wheel loosely rotatably mounted on the shaft, means con necting the second wheel with the member to cause the second wheel to rotate at a speed lower than that of the first wheel but bearing a definite relation to the speed of the first wheel, means for disconnecting the first wheel from the member and stopping the first wheel after it has rotated for a desired time, a third wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, said third wheel having a slot therein, an element on the second wheel positioned in the slot, means in the slot for gripping the element and causing the third wheel to rotate with the second wheel, means for resiliently urging the third wheel to rotate in a direction counter to the second wheel, means on the first wheel adapted to disconnect the second and third wheels when the second wheel reaches a position corresponding to that of the first wheel, means associated with the third wheel for actuating a signal when disconnected from the second wheel, and means for stopping the second wheel when it reaches this position.

9. A time-measuring device comprising a movable element, a stop element carried thereby, means adapted to cooperate with the stop element, means operable on engagement of the stop element and its cooperating means for effecting a signal, means for moving the stop element and its cooperating means away from each other at one speed, and means for moving the stop element and its cooperating means toward each other at a speed slower than that at which they are moved apart after they have been moved apart a determined distance.

JENS PETER HANSEN. 

